Universal remote control device

Abstract

The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit. The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carryout out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred. The control codes of any of a diverse plurality of remote control transmitters are learned, stored and reproduced by carrying out the following steps: (a) receiving a transmission of a train of pulses from a remote control transmitter; (b) recording the point-in-time of an edge of each pulse in a train of said pulses; (c) transforming the recorded point-in-time data into a list of instructions for generating a replica of said train of pulses; (d) timing the duration of a train of said pulses; (e) timing the period between trains of pulses; (f) associating a function key of a universal remote control device with said time duration of said train of pulses and said list of instructions for generating a replica of said train of pulses; (g) determining whether or not repetitions of the transmission of train of pulses is present; (h) ignoring repetitions of the train of pulses; (i) noting that repetitions are present; and (j) storing for use in a universal remote control device, the information acquired in steps (c), (d), (e), (f) and (i).

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of programming a remote control unit having a plurality of keys, the method comprising the steps of: entering a macro definition mode;   assigning a plurality of command codes to a single key selected from said plurality of keys; and     exiting said macro definition mode;   whereafter a user of said remote control unit need only activate said single key to cause a transmission of command signals corresponding to said plurality of command codes from said remote control unit.   
     
     
       2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of command codes are capable of commanding multiple actions performed by a single piece of consumer electronic equipment. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of command codes are capable of commanding multiple actions performed by multiple pieces of consumer electronic equipment. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of keys includes a plurality of command keys and said remote control comprises a memory having stored therein a plurality of command codes and said step of assigning further comprises monitoring said plurality of command keys for activation and assigning to said single key a subset of said plurality of command codes as a function of which command keys were activated. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of entering is initated in response to activation of a predetermined one of said plurality of keys. 
     
     
       6. A method of programming a remote control unit having a plurality of keys including a plurality of command keys and a memory having stored therin a plurality of command codes, the method comprising the steps of: entering a macro definition mode;   monitoring said plurality of command keys for activation and assigning to one of said plurality of keys at least one of said plurality of command codes as a function of which command keys were activated; and   whereafter activation of said one of said plurality of keys results in a transmission of a command signal corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of command codes from said reomot control unit.   
     
     
       7. A remote control unit, comprising: a microprocessor including a CPU and a memory;   a keyboard coupled to said microprocessor including a set of command keys and a macro key;   transmission circuitry coupled to said microprocessor;   command codes stored in said memory for creating corresponding command signals which are transmitted by said transmission circuitry to a controlled device to cause the controlled device to perform specific command functions;   a macro entry/definition program stored in said memory for enabling a user of said remote control unit to assign at least one of said command codes to said macro key;   a macro key playback program stored in said memory for enabling a user of said remote control unit to transmit a command signal corresponding to the assigned command codes to said controlled device in response to activation of said macro key.   
     
     
       8. The remote control unit as recited in claim 7, wherein said transmission circuitry comprises an IR lamp driver circuit. 
     
     
       9. The remote control unit as recited in claim 7, wherein said macro entry/definition program in responsive to activation of a subset of said set of command keys being selected by a user whereafter said macro key is assigned said command codes as a function of which subset of said set of keys were selected.